Muskie Opener....too early for topwater?

[bigcreekdad]

I generally stick to smaller crankbaits and bucktails at beginning of season. I typically don't start topwater till mid season. Going to fish opening week on French River this year. Has anyone had any cnsistent success using topwaters early on?

[2 tone z71]

im by no means a Muskie expert,but last season I caught all 5 of my Muskies on top water,my dad on the other hand fishes the depths opposite me and I got way more strikes hope it helps

[BillM]

I'll be throwing Magnum Zara Spooks and some TopRaiders for the early opener on the French

 

I'm a complete muskie newb, but from what I've read in books and online, early in the season is the time to be throwing topwater.

[Musky or Specks]

Ive caught plenty of fish on the opener on JackPots and Docs. The only two types of baits I really use that week are topwaters and bulging bucktails.

[bucktail]

Might be a little slow this year starting out on Topwaters, the water is very cold this year, hopefully we get some heat and the fish become more active.

[outllaw]

smaller cranks up high work best here on st clair. remember warmer water outflows like creeks opening to main lake is a choice to look at.

[Crazyhook]

I have moved fish on the open on topwaters for sure... never a bad time to throw them... fish eat them from opener to mid november!

[ehg]

As is mentioned above, topwaters get a strike most of the season(except when real cold).

The problem is the low hooking % with musky on topwaters. I('ll go shallow with bucktails to hook them.

 

ehg

[Musky or Specks]

Yes god knows Im lucky if I hook up 25% of the time on topwaters. Sure gets the heart going though!!

[F7Firecat]

You can go with topwaters no problem, got one last year on opener on a super topraider.

 

From what I hear the water is still a lilttle cold, muskies will still hit it.

 

Being cold water, then they may be still shallow and close to their spawning areas makinga topwater a great choice to throw.

[Pigeontroller]

If there are young of the year water fowl swimming, its Top-water time!

Edited May 20, 2008 by Pigeontroller

[Rich]

Only time I ever raised a musky with a topwater bait (that wasn't under 30 inches" was on opening day 2 years ago. And man was it ever big. I'll be doing a lot more of that this opener! God I can't wait. Cats and carp are great, but musky are where it's at!

[Squid]

I generally stick to smaller crankbaits and bucktails at beginning of season. I typically don't start topwater till mid season. Going to fish opening week on French River this year. Has anyone had any cnsistent success using topwaters early on?

 

 

Where are you going to fish ?

[BillM]

I'll be throwing topwaters + bucktails on the French for the June 7th opener... And probably every other new bait I've purchased in the last 6 months